I hope this series of meditations on Biblical values has enriched your lives. I have been refreshed in preparing them.
A. We need to practice honesty at all times.
The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:15 TLB wrote – “We will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ…”
In Psalm 34:12-13 GNT we read, “Would you like to enjoy life? Do you want long life and happiness? 13 Then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies.”
In Proverbs 12:19 NIV we read, “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.”
Let’s suppose you only give a half-truth. You are being deceptive. In Proverbs 10:10 GNT we read, “Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble.”
If you get caught telling a half-truth, it will be hard for people to trust you. There is no way to develop healthy relationships if we are deceptive.
Paul, in Ephesians 4:15 GNT wrote, “Speak the truth in love.” Being truthful is the loving thing to do. In Ephesians 4:29 GNT Paul wrote, “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Please avoid telling the truth when you are angry and resentful. At times like that it is probably your intent to hurt the other person. In Proverbs 12:18 GNT we read, “Thoughtless words wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.”
We need to think before we speak. Give careful thought as to what you plan to say. Is it kind? Is it loving? Is it necessary? Is it helpful and healing?
It is important to pray about the best time to share the truth. Timing is everything. I urge you to determine that you will always be truthful with God and with others.
B. The final Biblical Value is love.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:1 TLB wrote, “Let love be our greatest aim.” In Matthew 22:37-39 NIV “Jesus said, ‘Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And, the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Folks, there isn’t anything more important for us as Christians than to love God and love others!
It has been said that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 16:14 NLT wrote “Do everything with love.”
God loves us and He wants us to learn to love like He does. The good news is He will help us.
Paul in Romans 5:5 wrote, “And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.”
The Bible says that “God is love.” His very essence is love. Because He is love, He can bless us with His love. He can fill our hearts with His love and empower us to be loving as well.
What are some ways that we as Christians can show our love for each other?
1. Remember that we are members of one another.
We belong to the same family — God’s family. Paul, in Romans 12:5 NASB wrote “So we who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
2. We should be devoted to one another.
Paul, in Romans 12:10 NASB wrote, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” Here Paul introduces the concept of the family unit. How I wish all family units were close-knit and loving, but they aren’t. If you were part of a close-knit family where everyone loved each other, you were blessed. Such a family should be known for warmth, tenderness, concern, loyalty, and devotion. Paul used the word ‘brothers’ which means “from the same womb.”
3. We need to honor one another.
Paul, in Romans 12:9-10 NLT wrote, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Love them. Hate what is wrong. Holds tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
In Philippians 2:3-5 Paul wrote “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, think of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your interests but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
4. We need to seek unity in the body of Christ.
In Romans 15:5 NASB Paul wrote, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ.” In John 17 we have the amazing prayer of Jesus our High Priest. In that prayer He talks about salvation (17:1b-3); incarnation (17:4-6); sanctification (17:17-18); and glorification (17:24). In 17:11 He prayed “Holy Father, protect them by the power of our name – the name you gave me. So that they may be one as we are one.” There is no striving among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They have perfect unity. That is the quality that Jesus wants in His church.
5. We need to accept one another.
In Romans 15:7 NLT Paul wrote, “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” We were one of the poorer families in the church I grew up in and it seemed people were accepted based on their status. We were seldom asked to do anything. We need to avoid judging each other and showing partiality. Paul, in Ephesians 1:6 NKJV wrote “To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved”. Jesus is the Beloved Son of God and it is by trusting in Him as Savior and Lord that we are accepted. It is on the same basis we are to accept us. Praise God!
6. We need to learn to admonish each other.
In Romans 15:14 Paul wrote “I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other about them.” The word teach is the same as admonish. Sometimes, I have to confront another believer about some sin or attitude in their lives. That is never easy. I don’t think there is any greater sign of love than to be willing to risk rejection or broken relationships with others. Paul in Ephesians 4:15 NLT wrote, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of His body, the Church.” Our goal is not to hurt the other person but to bring healing. We must want the best for the other person.
Depending on the translation, several different words are used for ‘admonish,” such as counsel one another, correct, and instruct.
7. We are to serve one another.
In Galatians 5:13 NLT Paul wrote “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy what your sinful nature craves.”
The New King James translation uses the expression “serve one another in love.” As Christians, we live in relationships. We are brothers and sisters and must look out for each other. The old nature wants us to look out for ourselves, but Jesus showed us another way. He looked out for us. Christ died for us.
In John 15:13 NLT Jesus said, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s what He did and He wants us to do the same.
Well, I could mention other Biblical values, but we have covered a lot in this series of meditations. I pray that it has been helpful and that we will ask the Holy Spirit to help us develop these values and put them into practice in our ministry to others.
God bless you as you exercise these values for the glory of God and the good of others.
In Christ,
Pastor Leonard
